Return to Oakleaf

by Belle Bailey

A champion equestrian. A kindhearted veterinarian. And a path back to the love they thought they’d lost…


Vivienne Oakley devoted her life to competing on the show jumping circuit, but when her prize-winning horse suffers an injury, Vivienne knows it’s time to find a place to rest and recuperate. She yearns to return to her childhood home of Oakleaf Manor, but her former fiancé still resides in their hometown. With a major competition looming, Vivienne is left little choice but to return to her roots and pray for a miracle.


Treating the beloved pets of the townsfolk in Sugar Maple has helped Greg Henderson to repair the injuries from the losses in his own life. He’s dedicated his time and energy to building a successful veterinarian practice ever since the demise of his engagement. But when Greg learns his first and only love is returning to their hometown, he discovers the wounds he’d believed long since healed are far from mended.


After years of guarding her heart from all she left behind in Sugar Maple, can Vivienne find her way back home? And can Greg unearth a way to heal the rift between them? Or will the scars of their past relationship prove too much to overcome?


Journey down winding country roads, explore quaint cozy shops, and encounter quirky, but caring neighbors in the heartwarming hometown romances of Sugar Maple, Tennessee, today!

201 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 5, 2022

Reviews

[Jean · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book five in The Sugar Maple Romance Series and it is Vivienne and Greg's story. Vivienne and Greg have history as they had been in love and engaged but ended badly. When Vivienne's horse is injured she decides to return to Oakleaf Manor so that she can take some time to regroup and get her horse the best care possible even though she knows that her ex fiance still lives in there hometown. Greg is a veterinarian in his hometown and he has built up a successful business regardless of everything that has happened in his life but when he finds out that Vivienne has returned he has mixed feelings about how he will be able to deal with seeing her again. Will Vivienne and Greg find a way to reconcile there differences and heal all the pain that there separation caused and get a second chance of being together and having a happy ending or is it too late for them to go down that road again. This is the first book that I have read by Belle Bailey and I really enjoyed reading this Beautiful and Poignant story and I can't wait to read more book's by her in the future.

I Voluntarily Reviewed a Copy of This Book.

[Gail · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this clean romance. Vivienne and Greg were engaged, planning to marry and had dreamed of a future together; but then 1 day she broke off the engagement and left town. She also left Greg hurt and grieving what could have been. Greg is the local veterinarian, and he fills his life with overworking and helping others. Vivienne has devoted her life to competing with her horse in events, travelling around the country. She hasn't been home since her father's death until her horse is injured and needs treatment. Of course, Greg is willing to help Vivienne's horse recover. As the 2 try to avoid each other and their past, is it really possible in a small town? A lovely clean romance and story of second chances. This is the first book I've read by Ms. Bailey and will look to read more.
The only frustrations for me in the story was the constant bickering of Vivienne's two brothers. It seemed juvenile. I received a complimentary ARC of this book and have voluntarily given my honest opinion in this review.

[Nancy Garbe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Vivienne returns home after years away on the competitive horse jumping circuit. She left when her father’s passing seemed too much for her to to bear, but that also ended her engagement to Greg who has never fully recovered from the heartbreak. The forgiveness extended to Vivienne by her siblings and eventually Greg, is healing for everyone until it appears she has decided to leave again.

I received a free copy of this book from BookSirens for my honest voluntary review. My first impression as I read this book was of the descriptions of the various settings throughout the story - they are beautiful and almost poetic. The entire story is very well written and the wide variety of characters are relatable (I especially enjoyed the tiny kitten, as I too recently rescued a days old kitten abandoned in my garage and survived all those bottle feedings). This is definitely a wonderful romance novel written with warmth, humor, angst and love.

[Delphia Von Heeder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Return to Oakleaf is Book 5 in A Sugar Maple Romance by Belle Bailey. This was such a nice romance with fantastic characters and a strong continuity in the series. Vivienne has come home to rest her injured show horse and runs into her former fiance, Dr Greg Henderson. I believe that Belle Bailey writes such good stories that I always find interesting. Each of the books in the series can be read as a stand alone, but, I enjoyed reading them in order and seeing the overall characters change and their "lives" progress. I really hope that book 6 is on the horizon because I am not ready for the ending of this Sugar Maple series. I received an arc for free and am leaving my review voluntarily.

[Bernadette Cinkoske · Rating 5 out of 5]

Return to Oakleaf is a sweet, heartwarming, second chance romance. Vivienne is forced to return to her home and face her ex-fiancé. Can these two still hurting people find their way back to each other or will she leave again? Ms. Bailey's well written book can be read as a stand alone and is so much richer if you have read other books in the Sugar Maple series. .I love the town and its inhabitants. I could not put the book down.

[Sherry · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Vivien returns to Sugar Maple she is ready to make some changes in her life but first she has to apologize to the people she hurt when she left. Her family is happy to have her home but her ex fiance may not feel the same. I have enjoyed this series so much mostly because the author describes everything so clearly, the characters are interesting and the residents of Sugar Maple are your basic small town folks.

[Lucia Valenzuela · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved returning to Sugar Maple and its quirky residents. Mrs. Applegett and Hercules are always a favorite. Vivienne finally returns home. Will she really be able to stay this time and get a second chance with Greg. Memories and fear will need to be confronted. Well written storyline with interesting characters. Thoroughly enjoyable.
I received a free copy of this book and this is my voluntary, honest review.

[Kristi · Rating 5 out of 5]

A champion equestrian. A kindhearted veterinarian. And a path back to the love they thought they’d lost…

You will love everything about this book—the storyline: the characters, the main and supporting ones, and everything else. It flows smoothly through the pages and keeps you engaged. You won't want to miss this one.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sheila · Rating 5 out of 5]

Vivienne and Greg get their second chance at a relationship years after she left him just as he thought they were ready to take the next step in their relationship. Now she is home with a sick horse who Greg is treating since he is a vet and home is looking better to her all the time. Sweet clean romance.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jacqueline Johnston Cotton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a sweet and heartwarming second chance romance. A well written story about caring, forgiveness and love. I enjoyed the realistic characters. The setting is described beautifully and makes you want to drive to the country. This is a wonderful addition to this series.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a new-to-me author, and I wasn't sure what to expect. What I got was a beautifully written second chance romance that was a joy to read. Now I want to go back and read the first four books in this series. Highly recommend this book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a lovely second chance romance. It hit me right in the feels. The storyline flowed nicely and the characters were very relatable. I will be starting this series from the beginning and can't wait to reread Return to Oakleaf!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Annette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very smooth rebuild, rekindling for them. Story is clean, emotionally engaging for the couple and the community. Greg seems easy to love, Vivienne seemed unsettled. They worked very well together, I didn't care for the circling, but glad they got a chance to make amends and have a new happy beginning. I received a free copy and voluntarily chose to leave this review.

[Kimkbries · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this sweet second chance story about Greg and Vivienne. Sometimes coming home is not so easy when you left behind a broken heart and a family who felt forgotten. I enjoyed the emotions that were shared as they both discovered how to get beyond the past and move forward to find their HEA.

[Clara K Page · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. I loved the characters and their interaction to one another. I think I fell in love with Greg. The writing was great and "flowed" no slow spots. I loved the lesson to forgive and to not jump to conclusions and find the truth first.

I received an advanced free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving this review.